Topical Retinoid / Topical Antibacterial
Efficacy
67%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
Topical Retinoid / Topical Antibacterial
Side Effects
Low-Medium
Topical Retinoid / Topical Antibacterial
Acne.org’s Real World Take
A way of using benzoyl peroxide in combination with the topical retinoid, adapalene, that studies show works a bit better than benzoyl peroxide alone. Comes with side effects for the first weeks and can bleach fabric. Note: When used correctly, benzoyl peroxide on its own can completely clear the skin.
Topical Retinoid / Topical Antibacterial
How to Get It
Have a dermatologist? Make an appointment to get this medication. Don't have a dermatologist? See The American Academy of Dermatology Physician Database to find one.
Used Adapalene / Benzoyl Peroxide (Epiduo®)? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
March 12, 2012
Cons:
Price, a little drying
This product is the best product I've used I'm African American and have tried every thing, from olay to proactive and all Neutrogena products none worked but this! It cleared all my acne by two weeks. Its kinda expensive but you won't be wasting any money! It kinda dried out my face by my mouth but a little lotion did the trick.
March 5, 2012
Pros:
-Reduces spots
-Lightens skin/ calms
Cons:
- Takes a while to work
- Initial break out
When my skin was at its worst, my dermo recomended epiduo. I started using once every over day in order not to overdry my skin. The first week my skin was breaking out, all the bacteria was coming to surface. I continued using it, with hope that it would work. The following weeks, I had noticed a huge improvement in my skin: all my cystic acne on my cheeks was gone. I have been using it ever since, every day, and my acne is gone =) ** in addition to epiduo, i took some antibiotics (Tolexine) the first two months
February 26, 2012
Pros:
Within 2-3 days you can see spots reduced in size.
Within a few weeks (3-4) your acne scars and spots are REDUCED
After the first week or so, the burning and other side effects go away.
Cons:
1st Week or so, side effects: Maybe a breakout(short)
Burning
Stinging
Dry Skin
But are quite minor effects and disappear quickly.
I have been using Epiduo for 3 weeks after it was prescribed to me by a doctor and it has worked wonders o my skin, however it still hasn't completely cleared up my skin, the leaflet says it should do so within the first 8 weeks max. By the way things are going, I think it should be gone by next week!
I TOTALLY RECOMEND this product, it is AMAZING!
It also moisturizes really nicely after the first week!
February 25, 2012
Pros:
it cleared up acne for a while. And its still working a bit.
Fades red marks
makes skin more toned
Cons:
drys out skin alot
alot of redness also
its worth getting but it will only be a miracle for some people
February 25, 2012
Pros:
consistency; easy to apply
no smell
Cons:
break outs worse than not treating it!
Expensive!
Waste of money. Splitpea size drop mixed with my daily moisturizer (on advice from my derm so I don't use too much) once per day at night after shower, then rinse off in the morning. After three months, no improvement at all. First eight weeks brought out worse breakouts than when I was a teenager twenty five years ago. Initially prescribed combined with oral minocin, but had a severe anaphalytic reaction so no more cycline antibiotics, EVER! Continued epiduo after discontinuance of antibiotic for ten more weeks. This is week thirteen and the oil on my face is worse than ever, my chest looks like I've been scrubbing it with a roofing shingle and my back is more spotty than ever. My cysts are deeper and hurt more. The only thing that helps the flaking is the jojoba oil. I am considering not returning to the dermatologist and just struggling along with OTC BP like I did before. At least it was cheaper. Between the initial consult, RX's, ER visit, more RX's, PCP followup, more RX's, return to derm, & PCP return, I've blown over a couple thousand dollars in the last four months. And that's not even mentioning having the Holiday season ruined and the repulsed look on my husband's face. Forget it! I've never experienced this kind of desperation in my life. Just complete discouragement. I'm ready to give up.
February 22, 2012
Pros:
- Dries spots out.
- Fades marks.
- Works fast.
Cons:
- Stinging/Burning.
- Dry skin.
- Flakiness.
- Bad initial breakout.
After you get over the first week which can have stinging and burning and lots of dry skin whilst your figuring out a routine that best works for you then it gets 20x better! Epiduo is fast working and does a great job at preventing and tackling breakouts. You may/or may not get a bad initial breakout but continue to use the Epiduo throughout and it will soon be gone and its worth the clear skin after you've got over it. Remember to use gentle cleansers and moisturisers with this product - it's really easy to put the wrong thing on your skin and it burn.
February 20, 2012
Pros:
-Works fast
-Dries out any existing blemishes quickly
-Lightens hyper pigmentation
-Easy to use
Cons:
-Burning/scaling/redness the first week or so
-May cause initial breakout within the first few weeks (but goes away and gets much better)
I am so happy with this product. I got a little frustrated at first with the burning during the first week and on the third week I had a pretty bad breakout on my chin. However, both these side effects were to be expected, so I toughed it out and am completely COMPLETELY happy I stuck with it! It has lightened a lot of my red/hyper pigmented scars and dries out the occasional pimple really fast (like within a few days or so). I've seen such an improvement in only the one month I've been using it that I'm super excited to see what kind of results I can get in 3+ months! I'm only worried about it possibly losing its effectiveness for me, but according to many of these reviews a lot of people have been using this product for a longgg time and it still seems to do the trick :) I only had to pay $12.00 for my tube since my insurance is pretty decent, but your dermatologist/doctor usually gives you a discount coupon/card thingy so that you won't pay more than $35.
Bottom line is I honestly recommend this product :D
February 17, 2012
Pros:
Clears milia
Comedomal Acne drying out fast
Cons:
Burning
Peeling
Redness
Ive only been using this since last Thursday. I haven't had an initial breakout. My zits and milia are almost gone.
February 15, 2012
Pros:
-Works fast
-Won't dry out skin
-Works continuously (won't stop working after a few months)
-Almost completely cleared my acne
-Can be used on back, chest, etc.
Cons:
-Expensive
-If you don't use the right cleansers, it may sting. (See below for the cleansers and moisturizers I used)
This is by far THE BEST ACNE PRODUCT I have used! I have tried many different products and Epiduo has given me the best results without destroying my skin.
I have been using Epiduo for almost a year now, and it has not failed me yet. When I first started using Epiduo, I had horrible cystic acne on the sides of my face and around my chin. Mostly, this was because of Proactive and other harsh products which caused my skin to be oily, yet flaky, sensitive, and irritated. When my doctor prescribed me this, I was already depressed and I doubted it would work.
However, within 2-3 weeks, my acne was significantly better. Most of the cysts on face were MUCH smaller, and most of the little bumps and white heads were gone. For the first time in years I had NO acne on my forehead and chin!! The cysts on the sides of my face took longer to heal because they were so deep, but they healed within two months.
This is the only way Epiduo worked for me otherwise it would sting (In Order): -Cetaphil Normal to Oily Skin Cleanser (AM and PM)
-Cetaphil Antibacterial Bar Soap (AM and PM)
-Estee Lauder Even Skintone Illuminator serum (I used to get rid of the red marks and scars, I highly recommend this, its also very moisturizing) (AM)
-Epiduo (PM)
-Aveeno Ultra-Calming Moisturizer (AM and PM) Using those products provided me with the clearest skin I've had since Jr. High. Now I only get the occasional pimple but that's not a big deal. Overall Epiduo gave me my CONFIDENCE back, and has made me an overall happier person to know my skin looks good. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!
February 15, 2012
Pros:
Completely stopped my breakouts
Cons:
Drys out your face BADLY for a week
So, like most that start using epiduo, my face was SCALDING off within the first week of use. I was applying a pea sized amount to my whole face every night. After the 3rd day of having my face peel off, I called my dermatologist and he told me to use it every other day and also don't skimp on the mosturizer. Of course my face also started breaking out insanely bad after the first week. I'm now on week three, and have pretty much fallen in love with it now that I've got a routine down. I wash my face w/ cetaphil in a.m. and do a light exfoliation scrub (clinique). I use the clinique mosturizer too. In the evenings I wash with cetaphil again and put on pea sized epiduo all over face. On nights that I skip the epiduo I'll use salicylic acid (be careful, it can STING after all the epiduo peeling) to dry out/fade old scars. I don't have anymore active pimples, and am now working on fading old scars. It's nice to be able to put on makeup without worrying about large mountains on my face :) If youre thinking of quitting epiduo b/c of the burning or peeling, DONT! It's well worth the wait. If you're feeling self conscious about the peeling, just fix your hair nice and concentrate on something else for a few days. It's worked wonders for me!!!!
Pros:
Works quick, all acne gone, best product,